Matt Tunseth

Graduation ceremonies are by definition a time for change, but Eagle River High’s was particularly so as the school’s principal said goodbye to the school where he’s spent the last 13 years of his career.

“I too am leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable and stepping into a challenging unknown,” said Marty Lang, who is leaving for a job in the district office after seven years as the ERHS principal.

Lang said the day was an emotional one for himself as well as the 213 ERHS and 57 Alaska Middle College seniors in attendance.

At King’s Way Ministry on Eagle River Loop Road, the smallest area graduation ceremony was held for a trio of teens thankful for the opportunity to receive a different educational experience than their peers.

“There are pros and cons, but I think we get the better education,” said co-valedictorian Jacob Jent.

Jent’s co-valedictorian Celeste Wheeler agreed.

“There’s more attention for us,” she said.

In addition to the small class sizes at Eagle River Christian School, Wheeler said she liked the school’s open focus on religion.

Police were keeping close watch on a cow moose with two calves alongside the Glenn Highway Bike Path on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The mama moose bluff-charged officers several times as they tried to keep it separated from participants in the Gold Nugget Triathlon, which drew hundreds of cyclists to the area.

According to Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department assistant chief Clifton Dalton, the fire was reported at 5:47 p.m. and firefighters arrived from the nearby CVFRD Station 35 on the Old Glenn Highway two minutes later. When crews arrived, Dalton said the home was about 50 percent engulfed in flames.

A long-dreamed-of plan to bring a veterans’ housing facility to the Chugiak-Eagle River area has received the endorsement of the Anchorage Assembly — with the caveat developers work in tandem with local residents.